Attachable container closure

ABSTRACT

An attachable container closure used in conjunction with and for the purpose of closing the opening in boxes or containers of the type used for packaging granular, powdered or flaked materials which are poured from the container through a nonreclosable opening typically made by the user&#39;&#39;s pressing against an aperture panel which is defined by a plurality of perforations in one wall of the container.

United States Patent Simpson 5 Oct. 3, 1972 ATTACHABLE CONTAINER CLOSURE 3,373,916 3/1968 Montagano ..229/7 R 72 Inventor; Jame Simpson, 1757 south 2133152 0/ 1951 Butler ..229/7 R X Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. i i 6 6"959 n Cautfon ..229/7R 90019 5,924 8/1967 Mlller ..229/7 R X Filedi 1970 Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorhead Attorney-Whann & 118 C1 7 I 229/7 222/531 229/45 [57] I ABS CT 52 1511 lm. c1. ..B65d 17/16 lz g f i used conjunction an or e purpose 0 closingth Q enin in [58] Field of Search ..229/7, 5.5. 43, 45, 222/53 b xes] or containers 0f the type used for gackaging gran ar, powdered or flaked material which are [56] References Cited poured fronl the container through a nomeclosable UNITED STATESPATENTS p i g yp y gy 1 11:: users pressing against an ape ure pane w 10 1s e ned by a plurality of 2,781,156 2/1957 Wallo ..229/7RX If 3,180,552 5/1965 Atkinson ..229/'/ R pe ma m wan 3,265,282 8/1966 Maxwell ....229/7 R 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnm 3 I972 INVENTOR. Jflms Z'Z S/MPSQU BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An object of my invention is to provide an attachable container closure for attachment to boxes or containers of the type used for packaging granular, powdered or flaked material, such as laundry products, whereby the nonreclosable openings in such containers may be atfectively closed, thereby preventing spillage, conand when in place provides a means for alternately opening and closing the aperture through which the contents of the container arepoured.

2. Description of the Prior Art Containers of the type to which this invention relates typically are opened by the users pressing against an aperture panel which is outlined by a plurality of perforations in one wall of the container. When the perforations are broken, the aperture panel is typically folded back to allow the contents of the container to be poured therefrom. Generally, no means is provided for reclosing the aperture once it is opened. This is disadvantageous in that when the container is transported, spillage is likely to occur and when the container is in storage the contents thereof may become contaminated by dirt, insects, and the like. Further, the contents of the container may deteriorate as a consequence of being exposed to moisture and air.

This invention is directed toward the solution'of the previously enumerated problems and is believed to be unique in the field. The closure of my invention is particularly useful in conjunction with packages containing laundry products, such as soap, bleach, water softeners and the like. Because of the extensive use of public coin-operated laundrymats, laundry products must be frequently transported by the user to and from the laundrymats. With no effective way to close the openings in laundry product containers, as is typically the case, spillage during transport frequently occurs resulting in waste and inconvenience.

Applicant is familiar with the following patents which illustrate the uniqueness of my invention:

Patentee Patent No. Issue Date Hammond l,l30,27l March 2, I915 Mysels 2,306,973 December 29, I942 Wilcox 2,471,017 May 24, I949 Roselle 2,473,391 June l4, I949 OReilly 2,580,586 January I, 1952 Hill 2,623,685 December 30, 1952 Yancey 2,628,76l February I7, 1953 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION T and contamination of the contents. The container closure device is adapted toconveniently be attached to a container of the type described and comprises a closure means adapted to cover and seal the opening in the container and a positioning means affixed thereto for holding the closure means in frictional engagement with the container and in an appropriate position relative to the opening in the container.

tamination, and deterioration of the contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachable container closure for use in conjunction with a box or other container having a nonreclosable aperture therein, said attachable closure having a closure means adapted to allow for alternate closing and reopening of the aperture in the container and a positioning means for holding the closure means on the container in the correct orientation relative to the: opening therein.

It is another object of the invention to provide an attachable container closure of the class described which can be simply and inexpensively manufactured.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an attachable container closure having a closure means adapted to cooperate with a positioning means which comprises an endless band of flexible material, such as a commercially available rubber band.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an attachable closure having a resilient pad means in cooperative association with the closure means, which pad means is adapted to conform to irregularities in the container so as to provide an effective seal of the opening therein, thereby preventing contamination of the contents thereof.

FIG. 1 shows the typical configuration of a box or container used for packaging granular, powdered or flaked materials;

FIG. 2 shows the attachable container closure of my invention in position on the box or container;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the attachable container closure of my invention; F

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4- 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view shown partly in section of the front portion of the container closure which fits over and seals the pouring aperture of the container;

' FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of my invention in position on a typical box or container;

FIG. 7 is-a perspective view of the closure portion of the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment of my invention partly broken away to show internal construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRE EMBODIMENT The container may be opened by the user's pressing inwardly against aperture panel 12 and then folding panel 12 back along perforated or scored lines 16 in the top of the box. In this way an opening is formed through which the contents of the container may be dispensed. Once the container is opened it is not possible to reseal the opening to preclude spillage and contamination of the contents of the container.

FIG. 2 shows the attachable closure of my invention, generally indicated by the numeral 17, in place on container l0. Closure 17 comprises a closure means 18 and a cooperating positioning means 20. Closure 17 may be constructed of plastic, cardboard or other suitable material capable of holding its shape while remaining flexible. Closure means 18 comprises a top panel 21, a front panel 22 having a convex inner surface 23 affixed thereto and lying ina plane which generates an angle of slightly less than 90 with the plane of top panel 21, and a pair of spaced generally parallel side panels 24 interconnecting top panel 21 and front panel 22 along their longitudinal edges. Affixed near the lower transverse edge of front panel 22 is a pull tab 26 which is convenient for pulling closure means 18 down over the top of the box or container. A similar tab means 28 is affixed to top panel 21 and may be used to pull closure means l8 upwardly so as to open the aperture in the container or box when it is desired to pour the contents therefrom.

As can more clearly be seen in FIG. 3, positioning means 20 has a pair of spaced parallel side bands 29 and an end panel 30. A plurality of staggered opposing notches 32 is provided along a portion of the length of side bands 29. Notches 32 act as a spring, providing additional flexibility to side bands 29 so as to allow closure 17 to be conveniently positioned over container l-and further serve to maintain continued frictional contact between closure 17 and box 10. Notches 32 also perform in a hinge-like manner, allowing closure means 18 and the forward extremities of side bands 29 to pivot as a unit about the notched portions of the side bands. As can be seen in FIG. 2 and also in FIG. 3, a positioning spike 34 projects inwardly from end panel 30. Spike 34 is adapted to be conveniently pressed between the top of the box or container and the upper edge of the end wall parallel to the wall containing aperture panel 12 in order to anchor end panel 30 in a fixed position during movement of closure means I8. To provide better frictional contact with container 10, the inside surfaces of side bands 29 and end panel 30 are roughened or coated with a sticky material or substance 35.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, to insure that the pouring aperture in the container or box will be effectively sealed when the closure member is in position over the box, the plane of front panel 22 generates an angle slightly less than 90 with top panel 21 and a pad means or element 36 is affixed to the convex surface 23 of front panel 22, as by gluing or other suitable means. Pad means 36 may be constructed of any type of foam or spongy material which will tend to conform to the surface area surrounding the opening in the container.

In this way when closure means 18 is in the closed position, spillage of the contents from the box can be prevented and the contents can be effectively protected from contamination.

My invention is typically used in the following manner. After the box or container has been opened,

. closure 17 is placed over the top of box 10 and closure means 18 is positioned over the opening in the box by pulling downward on tab 26. The end panel of the closure member is then moved into the position shown in FIG. 2, by a slight forward pressure being exerted on it which causes positioning spike 34 to slide between the top and the upper edge of the end wall of the box, thereby anchoring panel 30 in the selected position. Closure means 18 is adapted to snugly fit over the top of the box or container so that frictional engagement with the container will hold it in position. When it is desired to dispense the contents of the container, closure means 18 is lifted upwardly by grasping tab means 28. As closure means 18 moves upwardly, notches 32 in side bands 29 accordion, allowing the pivotal movement of closure means 18 and the forward portions of side bands 29 without disturbing the anchored position of end panel 30. After the contents have been poured from the opening in the container, closure means 18 is repositioned into its closed position by a downward pull on tab 26. Closure means 18 will remain in this position, due to frictional engagement with the container,

until the user once more desires to dispense the contents of the container and again lifts closure means 18.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate an alternate embodiment of my invention wherein like numbers are used to identify like parts. In FIG. 6 an alternate closure,

generally designated by the numeral 38, is shown in position over a box or container 10. Closure 38 comprises'means 40 and positioning means 42.

As can more clearly be seen by reference to FIG. 7,

closure means 40 has a top panel 43, a front panel 44 I having a convex inner surface 45 connected thereto and lying in a plane which generates an angle of slightly less than with the plane of top panel 43, and spaced parallel side panels 46 and 47 interconnecting top panel 43 and front panel 44 along their longitudinal edges. Connecting means in the form of slits 48 are provided in side panels 46 and 47 and comprise a curved entry portion 50 and a generally straight positioning means engaging portion 52. Positioning means 42 comprises an endless loop preferably constructed of an elastic material such as is typically found in commercially available rubber bands. Positioning means 42 is connected to closure means 40 by slipping a section thereof through curved entry portion 50 of slit 48 in side panel 46 and positioning it in positioning means engaging portion 52. A second section of positioning means 42 is then similarly threaded through the curved portion 50 in slit 48 in side panel 47 and likewise positioned in positioning means engaging portion 52. When positioning means 42 is thusly positioned, it assumes the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

As can be seen by referring to FIG. 8, positioning means 42 is in this manner securely affixed to closure means 40 and a closed loop 54 is formed which has double the wall thickness of positioning means 42 in its relaxed state. Closure 38 may be positioned on container 10, as shown in FIG. 6, by placing loop 54 over the top left end of the container and stretching it to the right to the extent necessary to slip closure means 40 over the right end of the container, closing the aperture therein. By lifting tab 28, closure means 40 may be lifted to expose the opening in the box so that its contents may be poured therethrough. By pulling downwardly on tab 26, closure means 40 may be a. a closure means in operative engagement with the IQ container for closing and sealing the aperture therethrough, said closure means comprising:

1. a front panel having a convex inner surface;

2. a top panel connected to said front panel;

3. a pair of generally parallel side panels interconnecting said front panel and said top panel; and

4. a pad means affixed to the convex surface of said front panel, said pad means being adapted to conform to the surface area surrounding the aperture in the container for efficiently closing and sealing the aperture; and

b. a positioning means cooperatively associated with said closure means for adjustably positioning said closure means relative to the aperture in the container in a manner as to permit the alternate opening and closing of the aperture, said positioning means comprising:

1. a pair of generally parallel yieldable side bands;

2. an end panel interconnecting said side bands;

and 3. a positioning spike affixed to said end panel and adapted for penetration between the top and an end wall of the container. 2. In combination with a container having an aperture for pouring contained material therefrom, an attachable closure for closing the aperture so as to preclude spillage and contamination of the contents comprising:

a. a closure means in operative engagement with the container for closing and sealing the aperture therethrough; and

b. a positioning means cooperatively associated with said closure means for adjustably positioning said closure means relative to the aperture in the container in a manner as to permit the alternate opening and closing of the aperture, said positioning means comprising: i 1. a plurality of side bands having a plurality of notches therein for providing flexibility to said side bands; and 2. an end panel interconnecting said side bands. 3. The attachable closure described in claim 2,

wherein said end panel has a positioning spike affixed thereto and adapted for penetration between the top and an end wall of the container so as to anchor said positioning means in a fixed position on the container. 

1. In combination with a container having an aperture for pouring contained material therefrom, an attachable closure for closing the aperture so as to preclude spillage and contamination of the contents comprising: a. a closure means in operative engagement with the container for closing and sealing the aperture therethrough, said closure means comprising:
 1. a front panel having a convex inner surface;
 2. a top panel connected to said front panel;
 3. a pair of generally parallel side panels interconnecting said front panel and said top panel; and
 4. a pad means affixed to the convex surface of said front panel, said pad means being adapted to conform to the surface area surrounding the aperture in the container for efficiently closing and sealing the aperture; and b. a positioning means cooperatively associated with said closure means for adjustably positioning said closure means relative to the aperture in the container in a manner as to permit the alternate opening and closing of the aperture, said positioning means comprising:
 1. a pair of generally parallel yieldable side bands;
 2. an end panel interconnecting said side bands; and
 3. a positioning spike affixed to said end panel and adapted for penetration between the top and an end wall of the container.
 2. a top panel connected to said front panel;
 2. an end panel interconnecting said side bands; and
 2. In combination with a container having an aperture for pouring contained material therefrom, an attachabLe closure for closing the aperture so as to preclude spillage and contamination of the contents comprising: a. a closure means in operative engagement with the container for closing and sealing the aperture therethrough; and b. a positioning means cooperatively associated with said closure means for adjustably positioning said closure means relative to the aperture in the container in a manner as to permit the alternate opening and closing of the aperture, said positioning means comprising:
 2. an end panel interconnecting said side bands.
 3. The attachable closure described in claim 2, wherein said end panel has a positioning spike affixed thereto and adapted for penetration between the top and an end wall of the container so as to anchor said positioning means in a fixed position on the container.
 3. a positioning spike affixed to said end panel and adapted for penetration between the top and an end wall of the container.
 3. a pair of generally parallel side panels interconnecting said front panel and said top panel; and
 4. a pad means affixed to the convex surface of said front panel, said pad means being adapted to conform to the surface area surrounding the aperture in the container for efficiently closing and sealing the aperture; and b. a positioning means cooperatively associated with said closure means for adjustably positioning said closure means relative to the aperture in the container in a manner as to permit the alternate opening and closing of the aperture, said positioning means comprising: 